PROPOSED CLOSURE OF ABERFORD SURGERY- UPDATE 24.9.21

The Parish Council meeting earlier this week was attended by Dr Andrew Robinson, the senior Garforth Practice GP, plus two representatives from Leeds CCG Primary Care integration, which is the body who will make the final decision on this matter.
Dr Robinson outlined the reasons behind the proposal, focusing in particular on the environment at the Aberford surgery, which he considers to be unsafe and not conducive to maintenance of proper infection control standards and adherence to social distancing requirements. Dr Robinson believes that the Garforth and Barwick surgeries and their supporting infrastructures will be able to absorb Aberford patient needs, including home visits where necessary.
The Parish Council representatives stressed the massive inconvenience that this proposal would lead to, especially for the elderly and infirm and those without their own transport, given the very limited public transport facilities available. They pointed out the difficulties in getting through to Garforth or Barwick surgeries by phone and also challenged the apparent assumption that closing down the present facilities will inevitably lead to the withdrawal of GP services in Aberford, pointing out that there are other premises potentially available for lease and also questioning why mobile or other replacement facilities could not be provided. The Primary Care representatives agreed that these are matters which should be given proper consideration.
Overall it was a constructive discussion but the Parish Council remain strongly of the view that the best chance of bringing about positive changes to this proposal is for those Aberford residents who use the surgery to express their views and opinions clearly via the survey www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/aberford which is available for access throughout the public engagement period from Monday 13 September to Friday 15 October. This can be done on line or on paper, copies of the survey are available from the surgery at Jessamine House, during normal opening hours. The Parish Council believe that the more individual and well-reasoned responses which are received, the greater weight this will carry.
The Garforth Medical practice will also be holding an on line Zoom meeting to be held on Tuesday 5 October from 6-7 pm. Those who would like to attend and need joining instructions, along with those who are unable to attend the Zoom meeting but wish to leave feedback should contact the Garforth Medical Centre, either via email (garforthmedicalcentre@nhs.net) or by calling 0113 385 4535